The easiest way to remove spyware/malware is to get copies
of Ad Aware and Spybot and run them on your system.
However, since you cannot get to the web you have to use
the long version to remove this stuff.
Disconnect your compter from the net if you have a
high-speed connection such as cable or dsl.
1) Go to Add/Remove Programs and look for programs that
shouldn't be there. Things such as Hotbar Toolbar, Gator,
etc. These programs should stand out in your mind as ones
that you did not install.
Write down the names of these programs then go ahead and
use Add/Remove to remove them. This WILL NOT completely
remove the program but begins the process.
2) Go onto your hard drive and look for folders which have
the same or similar names to the programs you just wrote
down. Look under C:\Program Files for these folders.
Delete these folders. In some cases you may not be able to
remove the entire folder or parts of their contents. That
is ok. Just be sure that what you are removing is what you
want to remove. If in doubt, leave it in.
3) Go to Start | Run and type in 'regedit' (no quotes).
When your registry comes up do Ctrl-F (Find) and type in
part of the name of one of the programs you are looking
for. For instance, if you have the Hotbar Toolbar you
could simply type in 'hotbar' (no quotes). Click Find Next
and the search begins. When it stops on an entry look at
it closely. Does it have the name of one of the programs
you are looking for? If so, delete that key. Hit F3 to
continue the search.
When you get the message that you are at the end of the
registry do Ctrl-F and repeat the process for the next
piece of spyware/malware. Repeat as necessary.
4) Reboot your machine. When you come back in see if you
can reset your homepage or access the net. Hopefully at
this point you can. If your homepage still won't reset you
need to go back into the registry and search for whatever
page you are being redirected to. Again, just part of the
name is fine. Also recheck your C: to see if there are any
leftover folders which you can remove. If so remove them
and reboot again.
If things still aren't up to snuff after all this try doing
a system restore.
Once you get access to the net back be sure that the first
thing you do is go to Microsofts page and check your system
for any updates/patches/fixes and install them.
Hope this helps.
